Concrete forming apparatus



Oct. 7, 1969 H. A. HANEY 3,471,117

CONCRETE FORMING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 14, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR: Haw/11217 AHANEY.

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Oct. 7, 1969 H. A. HANEY 3,471,117

CONCRETE FORMING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 14, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: HOWARD Aflmzx BYAVM%M ATTysf United States Paten 3,471,117 Patented Oct. 7, 1969 US. Cl. 24931 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to concrete forming apparatus and, more particularly, to a form system for reinforced concrete. The form system, according to the present invention, is particularly adaptable to integral concrete joistslab constructions. The concrete form system includes a plurality of metallic forms which are positioned in an end-toend relationship. Each of the forms has a smooth top or upper member and opposed generally vertical sidewalls which extend downwardly from the top member. A flange member extends downwardly and outwardly from a bottom portion of each of the sidewalls. When concrete is placed over the metallic forms, a vertical component of force is applied to the flange member. Each of the flange members defines a chamfered edge on the concrete structure member which is being formed. The form system also includes end plates which extend between the sidewalls and the top members of the outermost ones of the metallic forms. Connecting means are provided for retaining and maintaining the metallic forms in the desired end-to-end relationship during the placing of the concrete.

In modern concrete construction, it is often desirable that the exposed concrete surfaces be suitable from an appearance standpoint to act as the finished surface without the addition of a plaster coat, a drop ceiling, or the like. If the concrete surfaces are used as the finished surfaces, they must be free from imperfections, such as edge chipping, wavy surfaces, and other surface defects which are visible to the building user.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a form system for concrete which ensures a smooth concrete exposed surface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a concrete form system which provides for chamfered corners along the bottom edges of the concrete joists.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a concrete forming system in which the individual forms have bottom edges which do not deform or wave when subjected to a concrete loading and wherein such bottom edges are shaped so that the concrete loading tends to prevent seepage of concrete beneath the forms.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a concrete form system which presents a continuous smooth surface adjacent the concrete thereby reducing visual surface defects in the final exposed concrete surfaces.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a concrete formsystem which may be easily removed from the solidified concrete and whose components may be easily sored and shipped.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, showing a concrete form system, according to the present invention, showing the supporting form work, and also showing an integral reinforced concrete joist and slab construction;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the flange portion of the metal forms shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of an integral concrete joist and floor slab, showing only a small portion of the floor slab, after the concrete has set and the metal forms have been removed;

FIG. 5 is an exploded plan view, with parts broken away, showing a concrete form system. according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a detail view which shows the connection between adjacent form system components;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a closing section component; and

FIG. 8 is a detail view, taken along the line 8--'8 of FIG. 5, and showing how the closing section component of FIG. 7 is utilized.

Detailed description Referring to FIG. 1, a typical concrete structure, with parts broken away, is generally indicated by the reference number 10. The structure 10 includes supporting form work 11, a plurality of concrete form systems 12, according to the present invention, and an integral concrete joist-slab structure 13.

The reinforced concrete joist-slab structure includes a plurality of longitudinally extending, spaced joists 14 and an upper concrete slab portion 15. In the present concrete structure disclosed, steel reinforcing bars 16 are provided in the lower portion of the concrete joist 14 and steel reinforcing 17 is also provided in the slab portion 15, as shown in FIG. 2.

In the present embodiment, the supporting form work 11 includes vertical shores 18, longitudinally extending stringers 19, and supporting plywood decking 20. The top surface of the plywood decking 20 defines a generally horizontal plane. It should be noted that other types of supporting form work may be utilized with the present invention, as is well known in the art. For example, the plywood decking may be eliminated and longitudinal stringers may be placed directly beneath the proposed joist locations. In this event, joist soflit forms (not shown) would be provided.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the concrete form system 12, according to the present invention, includes a plurality of elongated, generally U-shaped metallic forms 25, 26, 27, and 28. The metallic forms 25-28 are constructed of metal plate material which does not deform appreciably under loading. While the form system 12 is disclosed in FIG. 5 as being comprised of four metallic forms 25-28, it should be understood that the number of metallic forms uitlized in a given form system, according to the present invention, will be determined by the design length of the concrete structure to be constructed and the present applicant does not intend to limit his invention to a form system having a predetermined number of metallic forms.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the metallic forms 25-28, for example the metallic form 27, has a smooth, elongated top member 29. A pair of elongated sidewalls 30 and 31 extend downwardly from the edges of the top member 29. Preferably, the sidewalls 30 and 31 diverge slightly outwardly as they extend downwardly from the top member 29. The angular relationship between the sidewalls 30 and 31 is never less than parallel.

An elongated flange member 32 extends downwardly and outwardly from a lower portion of each of the sidewalls 30 and 31. The flange member 32 has its lowermost portion lying in the horizontal plane defined by the top surface of the plywood decking 20. The flange member 32 is an important feature of the present invention.

The flange member 32 (see FIG. 3) has a triangular vertical cross section defined by a downwardly extending leg 33 and an inturned leg 34. In the present embodiment, the leg 33 and the leg 34 define an angle of 42, however, while this angle is the preferable angle, the angle may be varied to form any number of alternative positions as is illustrated by one such alternative position of the inturned leg designated in FIG. 3 by the reference number 34a. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the sidewall 30 is shown as sloping 6 with respect to the vertical. The sidewall 30 and the downwardly extending leg 33 define an angle of 141.

The leg 33 of the flange member 32 defines a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings 35 and the inturned leg 34 defines a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings 36 which are in cooperating and aligned relationship with the openings 35. Referring to FIG. 2, nails 37, or other holding or fastening means, are positioned within aligned ones of the openings 35 and 36 and are driven into the supporting form work, in this case the plywood decking 20 Referring to FIG. 3, when concrete is placed over the metallic forms 25-28, the dead load of the concrete imposes a vertical force upon the metallic forms, including the flange member 32. The force on the flange member 32 is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 3 by the designation Fv. Preferably, the inturned leg 34 is at a slight angle with respect to the horizontal plywood decking 20. In the present embodiment, the inturned leg 34 and the plywood decking 20' define an angle of 3 and in any case such angle preferably exceeds 1. Therefore, the reaction point designated by the letter R, is at the junction between the legs 33 and 34 of the flange member 32. This junction line represents the lowermost portion of the chamfer forming flange 32 and is in contacting relationship with the plywood decking 20. This insures a longitudinal line of contact along the flange member 32 which tends to prevent the seepage of concrete under the flange member 32, between the inturned leg 34 and plywood decking 20.

The configuration of the flange members 32 serve as molds or forms to sharply define chamfered corners 40 on the lower portion of the joists 14 (see FIG. 4).

Referring to FIG. 5, an end plate 41 is welded, or otherwise secured, to the outermost end of the metallic form 25 of the concrete form system 12. Similarly, an end plate 42 is welded, or otherwise secured, to the outermost end of the metallic form 28. In the present embodiment, the outer metallic form 28 is tapered. The tapered end form 28 is used where additional concrete is required to provide for shear and negative moment loads.

Assembling and retaining means are provided to connect the components of the concrete form system 12 in an aligned relationship. The metallic forms 25-28 are positioned in a contiguous, end-to-end relationship. The top members 29, of the respective forms, define a smooth, continuous top surface which is not interrupted by a lap type connection, which would leave an undesirable impression in the finished concrete surface.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the assembling and retaining means includes a butt type connection which is generally indicated by the reference number 43. The butt type connection 43 comprises a U-shaped projecting member 44 having an upper supporting section 45 and downwardly extending sides 46 and 47. The projecting member 44 is spot welded, or otherwise suitably connected, to one of the metallic forms, in this case to the metallic forms 25. An outer end portion 48 of the projecting member 44 extends into and is received by the adjoining one of the metallic forms, in this case the metallic form 26. Referring to FIG. 6, the butt type connection 43 provides a connection which amply supports the concrete load and also insures a continuous, smooth top surface 29 for the concrete form system 12.

Referring to FIG. 5, the metallic forms 27 and 28 are connected together in the same manner as the metallic forms 25 and 26. However, each of the metallic forms 26 and 27 has a projecting member 44 which face each other. Therefore, it is necessary to join these two forms by use of a U-shaped connecting member 49 (see FIG. 7). The connecting member 49 has a top member 50 and downwardly extending side members 51 and 52. The connecting member 49 has the same general vertical cross section configuration as that of the metallic forms 25-28. Referring to FIG. 8, the connecting member 49 receives the projecting members 44 thereby forming two butt type connections. As shown in FIG. 8, the top members 29 of the metallic forms 26 and 27 and the top member 50 of the connecting member 49 form a continuous, smooth, upper surface thereby ensuring an unblemished concrete surface.

In a typical concrete joist-slab construction project, the supporting form work 11, including the plywood decking 20 would first be installed. Next, a number of concrete form systems 12, according to the present invention, would be positioned at predetermined locations on the plywood decking 20. The positioning of the respective concrete form systems 12 would depend on the design requirements with respect to joist width. In addition, the number of metallic forms utilized in each of the form systems 12 will depend upon design requirements, such as the design lengths of the respective joists.

The concrete form systems 12 are held in the desired locations on the plywood decking 20 by holding or fastening means, for example, nails placed in the aligned co-operating openings 35 and 36 in the legs 33 and 34 of each of the flange members 32.

After the concrete form systems 12 are secured in position and the reinforcing bars 16 and 17 are positioned, the concrete is poured and finished in a manner known in the art. After the concrete has set, the Supporting form work 11 is removed. Next, the metallic forms 25-28 of the concrete form systems 12 are removed. The inturned legs 34 of the flange members 32 serve as handles or purchasing surfaces to aid in the removal of the metallic forms 25-28. For example, a claw hammer may be utilized in combination with the inturned legs 34 to pull the metallic forms 25-28 downwardly. It has been found that the concrete form systems 12, according to the present invention, are easy to remove without damaging the exterior surfaces of the concrete. After the metallic forms 2-5-28 are removed, they are cleaned, nested together and either reused on the same job site or transported to a new job site.

The completed reinforced concrete joist-slab 13 has smooth exterior surfaces and sharply defined chamfered corners 40 at the lower ends of the joists 14. It should be noted that there are no impressions in the concrete left by overlapping members and no wavy longitudinal edges, both of which created appearance problems in prior art systems.

While the present invention has been disclosed with a specific arrangement and disposition of the parts, it should be expressly understood that numerous modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A concrete form system for forming generally horizontally extending concrete structural elements, having their lowermost surfaces lying in a substantially horizontal plane, said concrete form system comprising, in combination, a plurality of elongated, generally U-shaped forms, each of said forms having an elongated smooth top member, a pair of spaced, elongated sidewalls extending downwardly from said top member, said spaced sidewalls diverging outwardly from each other as they extend downwardly from said top member, an elongated chamferforming flange member extending angularly downwardly and outwardly from a lower portion of each of said sidewalls, each of said chamfer-forming flange members having its lowermost portion lying in such horizontal plane, and means for assembling and retaining said forms in aligned relationship during the pouring of concrete,

said assembling and retaining means including a projecting member extending from an end of one of said forms for mating engagement with an aligned and adjacent end of another one of said forms to retain said adjacent forms in an end-to-end relationship.

2. A concrete form system, according to claim 1, wherein said assembling and retaining means includes a U-shaped connecting member having a top member and downwardly extending side members connected to said top member, said connecting member engaging adjacent projecting members of aligned ones of said forms.

3. A concrete form system, according to claim 1, in which said elongated chamfer-forming flange member includes an elongated, inturned leg.

4. A concrete form system, according to claim 3, wherein said elongated inturned leg defines an angle greater than 1 with respect to such horizontal plane and wherein each of said elongated chamfer-forming flange members defines a series of longitudinally spaced fastening openings.

5. A concrete form system, according to claim 4, wherein said forms are metallic and including end plates extending between the spaced sidewalls and the top members of the outermost ends of the outermost ones of said metallic forms.

6. A concrete form used for forming concrete structural elements, having their lowermost surfaces lying in a substantially horizontal plane, said form comprising, in combination, a top member, sidewalls extending downwardly from said top member, each of said side walls diverging outwardly as it extends downwardly from said top member, an integral chamfer-forming flange member extending angularly downwardly and outwardly from a lower portion of each of said sidewalls, each of said flange members having its lowermost portion lying in such horizontal plane, and an integral inturned leg adjacent the lowermost portion of each of said flange members, each of said inturned legs extending inwardly and upwardly from the lowermost portion of the respective flange member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 821,869 5/1906 Hathaway 249-32 1,561,187 11/1925 Rios 249-28 X 2,093,401 9/ 1937 Carilli 24930 2,775,019 12/ 1956' Bemis 249-30 J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner DE WALDEN W. JONES, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 249-176 

